Beginners.
I'm back from a wonderful trip. Do you want to hear about it? Do you know anything about New Zealand? I'll give you some of the most important details. It is situated in Oceania which is in the Pacific Ocean in the Southern Hemisphere. It's population is about four million, so, it is not very populated. It is about one hundred and four square miles in size, spread out over two main islands, North and South, and a few smaller islands. English is the main language, though there is a second, native language of Maori, from the people of the same name. The Maoris arrived from Polynesia about a thousand years ago. They were hunter gatherers who lived off of the land and sea. In 1642 the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman sighted* the land, then in 1769 Captain James Cook, the English explorer, landed. Many Europeans came soon afterwards to hunt whales and seals, others to farm and develop towns. Of course, there were conflicts and wars between the Europeans and the Maori over land. In 1840 the British crown gained control of the country, but still there are disputes over who really owns 'Aotearoa' which is the Maori name for the country. The Kiwis, or natives, are extremely proud of their country, especially of its natural beauty: the Snowy Alps, sunny beaches, massive fiords, volcanoes, lakes, forests, and quiet rolling hills.
Grammar notes.
Related vocabulary: population/ populated, language, hunters, explorer, conflicts, natives, crown, to gain, to know something about..., to sight.
Exs: I don't know anything about mechanics, but my brother does.
Do you know anything about the subjunctive? It's really not too difficult in English.
The sailor sighted an island that had never been seen before. * Though 'to sight' is related to the verb 'to see' it is used in terms of search and discovery.
Advanced.
I wish that I had had more time to discover the amazing land of New Zealand. In total, I only had about one week there, from arriving to leaving. I did, however, make the most of it. I whizzed around at 100 miles per hour, trying to see as much as possible. "You travel really well, Anna!" said my brother, observing me after I had been there for a couple of days. I had not experienced any jetlag, and I was determined that I wouldn't. I didn't want anything to spoil my treat! I spent two days in Christchurch, where my brother lives. What a beautiful city! It is like a spotless park. The Kiwis take pride in keeping their country clean, and they recycle just about everything. Then I flew South to Queenstown. I stayed at a Youth Hostel right on the lake which had 'The Remarkables', a line of mountains, to the side. I toured Fiordland which you can see a little of in my photo. Then, on my last day there, I treated myself to a helicopter ride over part of the Alps. Wow! Can anyone say spectacular? What views! We flew over dense forests that I have seen before in some of the Lord of the Rings. The whole experience was like being in a story book. My last few days were spent with my brother. We went sight seeing* to wineries, beeches, and even a thermal spa. I was sad to say goodbye to my brother, but after being in New Zealand, I fully understand why he has lived there for the past eleven years.
Grammar notes.
Useful vocabulary: to sight see, to make the most of ..., to whizz around, spotless, to take pride, to treat oneself/ a treat.
** With the expression 'to sight see', the word 'see' only changes slightly with a change of tense. We never say "I sight saw" for the past. And it sounds awkward to use 'seen', as in "Have you ever sight seen?" It is best to use the past of the verb 'to go:
We went sight seeing all over the place.
Have you ever been sight seeing?
We will need to sight see some more before we leave this city.
The Pluperfect:
Exs:They hadn't had enough time to study, but they took the test anyway.
He had lived in the South for twenty years, but he got married and has lived in the North for the past year.
Beginners.
On my recent trip to New Zealand, I met lots of different people. In Los Angeles, where I waited to catch the plane to Aukland, I met three older ladies who were going on the same trip. We sat in the airport and chatted. They were very interesting. Each was retired, a widow, and interested in traveling. They told me that each year they take a trip somewhere new and go on a cruise. The cruises that they go on are organized especially for old people. I have never been on a cruise, but I imagine that it would be very comfortable. You can see a lot of coastline and islands easily, - no driving or walking necessary. Each day, their ship stops in a port somewhere, and they have the choice of getting out and exploring, or they can stay onboard and relax. I was surprised that they were willing to make such a long journey. The flight takes fourteen hours. If you have a good book, and watch several movies, it's not too bad, but still, it is exhausting. It's also hard to sleep when you are in a sitting position. But, I am not going to complain. I actually got the trip for free because of air miles. I think the three old ladies who I met were adventurous and brave. Good for them! Their bodies were not young, but their spirits were!
Grammar notes.
Useful vocabulary: recent, to catch a plane, cruise, no ... necessary, onboard, to be willing, air miles.
Exs: The recent James Bond film was not as good as the previous one.
We caught a plane this morning. We need to catch another one tonight.
This cake recipe is easy: only a few ingredients, and no mixing necessary.
I am only willing to fly to the reunion because I have accumulated air miles.
Advanced.
I don't remember the names of the three older ladies I spoke with in Los Angeles international airport, but I still feel that they made an impact on me. It is interesting being with people who are much older than yourself. In a way, they seem to be a world apart. It's probably because of the fact that they have accumulated so much more life experience than ourselves. I find older people fascinating because, more often than not, they are very sure about their feelings. "You have to be who you are, and you have to live while you can," said one of the ladies wisely. Their eyes were young and lively, and their enthusiasm for the trip was obvious. They seemed very single minded. It was just the shell of their bodies that was old; they actually weren't. They had to take their time when they stood up, or bent over to get something from their bags. In fact, one of the ladies, who was quite bent over, took out, at one point, a huge bag of pills. I looked in horror as she checked that she had all that she needed. "I hope that most of those pills are vitamins!" I said, staring at the large, plastic, zip-lock bag. "Oh honey, most of them are. But I need more the older I get. I had a prescription for my eyes, but now one is worse than the other, so each needs a separate medication..." she went on about her different ailments. "Gosh, I hope I stay in good shape as I get old," I thought to myself as I listened. Well, I will try my best. But, bearing in mind their age and physical condition, I have even greater admiration for these bony, wild, old ladies.
Grammar notes.
Useful vocabulary: impact, to accumulate, to bend (over), pills, vitamins, prescription.
Exs: The drought had a terrible impact on the whole city.
He accumulated so much wealth during his youth, that when he got older, he didn't need to work.
After the operation, he couldn't even bend over.
In my prescription, the doctor gave me pills that are too big to swallow.
Beginners.
Traveling is a passion of mine. I can't imagine staying in one place for many years without going off to explore another country. Well, I've done it! My brother has lived in New Zealand for eleven years. He has flown out to the U.S many times to visit me, but for all those years, I have never been to visit him. I have been busy. Having four children is a lot of work. However, now my children are old enough for me to have a break for a few days. I am looking forward to seeing something new and meeting new people. When you go abroad, you need to be organized. First, you must make sure that your passport has not expired. Without that, you won't get anywhere. Then, you must book your return flight. This can be done over the internet, of course, but you must know what you want. Do you want to fly during the day or at night? Do you need to be super comfortable with lots of leg room, or can you cope with being a bit squashed in a cheaper seat? And then there's money. How much will you need to take with you? If you plan on shopping, eating in nice restaurants, or buying gifts for friends and family, make sure that you take enough. All this preparation can be a fun part of the journey. Then the day of departure comes, and you have to ask yourself, "Do I have everything? Am I missing anything?" So you check and double check until you feel confident that you have everything. And you're off! Have a great trip! Take care, and have fun!
Grammar notes.
Related vocabulary: passport, expiration date, leg room, departure, arrival, the internet, reservation, booking.
Verbs: to explore, to look forward to, to have a break, to fly,.
Exs: The divers explored the coral reef and discovered a new fish.
I look forward to meeting up with you in New York at Christmas.
We had a wonderful break during the Summer.
To fly (fly, flown, flown). The time had flown; we were too late to catch the train.
Advanced.
I remember when I used to travel with my family from England to Spain, what excitement I felt. Being on a plane is a huge thrill for children. Interestingly enough, the things that I remember most are the packages of milk powder that we were given with our parents' tea and coffee, and the tiny wrapped rectangles of soap that we would 'collect' from the bathrooms. These treasures were all over the plane, so it seemed. It's funny how children pick up on the details that adults barely register. Another thing that fascinated me was the curtain that separated the kitchen from the passengers. What a great mystery that was. It reminded me of something that you would find in a theater. I half expected a clown to jump out of it, or a magician to slowly open the curtain and start doing tricks. It was sufficient, though, for the stewardesses to appear and disappear, as they did. I would look with admiration at these pretty women, all well groomed and smelling clean. They always smiled, and wore make-up in ways that my mother never did. I wanted to be one of them. They made the flight go much quicker with their pleasant gestures and happy faces. Mind you, the flight from England to Spain isn't exactly long. A couple of hours and we were there. With my family so spread out around the world now, the flights are substantially longer. But, you know, I still love it. Though, it would be nice to have a magician jump out and entertain me.
Grammar notes.
Related vocabulary: excitement, thrill, package, to register, a clown, a magician, sufficient, steward/ stewardess, admiration, gesture, substantially.
Useful phrases: ( Interestingly) enough, a couple of, barely, substantially ..... .
Exs: Interestingly enough, the castle was built only recently.
Ironically enough, the thief had his car stolen.
A couple of years ago, we decided to move house.
How many sugars do you want (in your tea)? Oh, just a couple.
I could barely see the mountain; there was so much mist that day.
She barely had enough strength to lift her head from the pillow.
The exam was substantially longer than expected.
No podcasts today, or for the next few days I'm afraid. I'm off to New Zealand to visit my brother and to see that wonderful country. When I get back, I'll have lots to tell you, so don't go away!
Take care,
Anna.
Beginners.
On the highways here in the United States you will find some signs that say, "Buckle up! We love you." The message is to remind people to fasten their seat belts to stay safe. It's a good idea. Another thing that is available on the highways is free coffee. In certain areas on the long roads, there are places where you can stop to get a free cup of coffee. This helps to keep people awake when they drive at night. It saves lives, and also money. Another good idea. Today, as I was driving my kids to school, I noticed a lot of police cars . I passed one of their cars that was flashing. This was serious. Suddenly, a policeman on the side of the road waved me over. I opened the window and he said, "Hi Ma'm, we're doing a safety belt check today." "Oh, good idea," I said. "Are all your children strapped in?" he asked, looking in the car. I looked behind and saw that none of my three boys had their belts on. Oh great! My daughter did. I always strap her in. On the way to school, I always tell the boys to do up their belts, but obviously today they didn't. The policeman pointed out the problem. He asked me for my driver's license. Guess what? I had left my bag at home, so I didn't have my license either. He informed me that it is illegal to drive without the license. I actually didn't know that. Oh what a morning! The policeman was very kind, and let me go with just a small fine. The experience was a good reminder, and a warning.
Grammar notes.
Important vocabulary: driver's license, seat belt, buckle up, to strap in/ to do up, illegal, message, sign, warning, reminder.
Verbs: to remind, to guess, to strap in/ buckle up, to point out.
Exs: Please remind me to pay the bill tomorrow.
He guessed the answer; he didn't really know it.
Strap yourself in/ buckle up, we're going to drive on a busy street.
He pointed out that the speed limit in town is thirty miles an hour.
Advanced.
"If you don't strap yourself in, I'm not going anywhere." That is something I say regularly to my three boys when we get in the car, especially when I tell them to put their seat belts on and they don't pay attention. They look at me with impatient eyes, as if they want to say, "Mum don't nag us; it's too early in the morning." Well, sometimes I don't nag enough. This morning I got into trouble with the police for three of my four kids not being strapped in. The policeman was perfectly reasonable and calm, which I appreciated. If you get one in a bad mood, the situation could be more unpleasant than necessary. We live only a four minute drive from the school, so it is a temptation, I confess, to just get there quickly and to not double check the seat belt situation. Well, when I agreed with the policeman that their project was a good idea, he seemed surprised. "Most people don't respond like that. We usually get a lot of excuses." There is no point being dishonest, is there? It's all about the safety of the children, so we should comply. I felt quite comfortable in the situation, even though I was the one at fault. Probably I was still too tired to imagine myself behind bars, or having to pay a huge fine. I hadn't had my morning coffee yet, so my imagination was not awake enough to scare me. Anyway, I don't have to wear a stripey suit and get locked up. Just a small fine is the only punishment. Let's all stand corrected!
Grammar notes.
Verbs: to pay attention, to nag, to appreciate, to be honest/dishonest/at fault.
Exs: I wish the students would pay attention.
He says that his wife nags him about his spending habits.
I appreciate all the hard work you have done.
He has to make a choice between being honest or dishonest.
When I'm at fault, I say so.
Beginners.
My mother told me that when she was a young mother, my older brother would never leave her alone. He always wanted to be held. She would hold him even when she vacuumed. Clingy is the word. I was different. I always wanted to do my own thing and be independent. It is funny how different two children from the same family can be. I am preparing to go on a trip soon to New Zealand, so when I am gone, my parents-in-law will look after my kids and take them to school. My mother tells me how different things are now for mothers. In her day women just stayed with the children all the time. The expectation was that you didn't go off by yourself. Gosh, I'm glad things have changed. Now it is normal to "have a break" from the kids. It is normal practice to get a babysitter so you can go out and do something fun without worrying about the children. We fortunately have a wonderful babysitter. She lives opposite us; she could easily walk from her house to ours in her slippers in one minute. She is sixteen and happens to be a good friend of our children anyway. What a bonus! When it is time for my husband and I to go out on a Saturday or Friday night, we never have any trouble leaving. Even my youngest is so happy that 'Sammy' has come over to play, that she doesn't even tell me goodbye.
Grammar notes.
Related vocabulary: clingy, vacuum/ hoover, parents-in-law, to go off, babysitter, bonus, slippers, expectation, gosh.
Advanced.
"Mum, where are my shoes?" "Mum, can you play checkers with me?" "Mum, why aren't we having homemade macaroni and cheese instead of from a packet?" "Mum, what did you do with my Pokemon cards?" Guess what this podcast is about....How many questions like these could you hear everyday without going crazy? I tell my children sometimes, "It's just as well that I love you, otherwise I would throw you out of the window." I picked that one up from my mother; she used to say the same thing to me. Kids are amazing, wonderful blessings. And they are our future, of course. Though it sounds like a cliche, it is true. But, my kids, in particular, seem to have a talent for wearing their mother out. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining; I can't imagine life without my children. At the moment, I have enough energy to keep up with them, but sometimes I wonder. Today, I was on the phone to my credit card company. I will be taking a trip to New Zealand this Saturday to visit my brother, so I had to inform them of this. Anyway, the lady on the other end was asking me for some important information when, suddenly, my two youngest ran into the room and let off several blown up balloons. You can imagine the noise. I was immediately cross and impatient, so I barked at them to go away, "For goodness sake you two, I'm on the phone!" I appologized to the lady who chuckled and said that she has three kids, so she understands. Well, they did it two more times, and laughed their heads off loudly. I gave up and started chuckling aswell. It must have sounded like a circus over the phone. I actually managed to finish the call. At least the customer service lady had a good laugh.
Grammar notes.
Related vocabulary: homemade, guess, cliche, to chuckle, to inform, to take/make a trip, a circus, talent, to complain.
Verbs using 'would'.
Exs: What would you do if he complained all the time?
If she would just appologize, then everyone would feel better.
Wouldn't it be nice if it was quiet?
If money grew on trees, I wouldn't have to go to work, would I?
Beginners.
The other day, I was looking in the kitchen for a cookie. It was mid-afternoon and I was having a 'snack attack'. I opened the cupboard hoping to find a few oatmeal cookies (my favorites), or perhaps chocolate chip cookies. Unfortunately there were none, just a few crumbs where the last packet had been. I had nothing to dip in my cup of tea. I thought, "Why don't I quickly make some?" Immediately, I realized that I didn't have any chocolate chips; we were out of them. I didn't want to jump in the car and go to the shops just for a bag of chocolate; it would be easier to buy a packet of cookies. As I was thinking, I rememered an embarrassing accident I had many years ago because of chocolate chips. My husband was making cookies. "Anna, we're out of chocolate chips. Can you run down to the store to buy some?" So, I did. I parked the car, his pick-up Chevy truck, outside the supermarket, and ran in. There were just a few people in the store. I bought the chocolate and walked out towards the truck. It wasn't where I had parked. It was about five meters away, and right next to a car. There was a group of people around it. U-oh. I understood what had happened. I had not put the truck in 'park' before turning it off. So, when I was shopping, it had rolled backwards and hit a car. I was in big trouble.
Grammar notes.
Related vocabulary: cookie, snack-attack, cupboard, chocolate chips, crumbs.
Typical expressions: to run to (by car).
Ex: I ran to the store and bought a jacket (means by car).
We made a quick run to the library.
To jump in (the car)/ on (the bike).
Ex: He jumped on his bike and got to school on time.
You're going to be late! Jump in the car and get going!
Advanced.
So, you heard about my oops incident. It was a nightmare, truly. The funny thing was, I had just learned to drive, and I was very proud of my effort to go to the store by myself in this Chevy truck. I thought that I had done very well to drive on the other side of the road; in England we drive on the left. It was a pleasant *Autumn evening, already dark, and the supermarket was quite empty. I quickly found the cooking aisle, chose the bag of chocolate chips, and went to the cashier to check out. Over the loud speaker I suddenly heard, "Could the owner of the green and tan Chevy truck please report to customer services." A bad, sinking feeling rose is my stomach, but I convinced myself that there must be one other person in the store who drove a green and tan truck just like ours. There wasn't. I finished with the cashier clerk and went outside to find the truck. I was horrified at what I saw. My truck had rolled backwards quite a few feet, and hit a parked car. At the time, a man was napping in the car, waiting for his wife who was shopping. Eek! The poor man must have had quite a shock. Fancy being hit by an empty car when you are parked in a parking lot! My first instinct was to walk straight past the two cars and the crowd that had gathered around them. But how could I do that? I had to confess, and call and let my husband know about the incident. That bag of chocolate chips ended up being a lot more expensive than ususal. That's why I prefer oatmeal cookies.
Grammar notes.
Common expressions: Oops! Eek! What a shock! Fancy that! Fancy + gerund, the poor man/woman/thing/etc, a sinking feeling.
Verbs (plu-perfect): I had just learned (how) to drive.
The car had gone off the road and crashed into a tree.
She had not studied enough for the final exam, so she felt nervous.
Hadn't he had enough fighting for one day?
Beginners.
Some people say that it must be easy for me to live here, because of the language; it is the same as in England. Yes, that's right. But, there are some interesting differences. There are many sayings and spellings that are different. If you don't know the differences, you can get into trouble sometimes. When I first came here, I took my driving test. First, I took the written test. A man asked me afterwards if I had 'missed' any of the questions. I looked at him and said, "Of course not, I did all of them." "Oh," he said, "you're sure of yourself, aren't you!" After talking a bit more, I realized that 'to miss' a question, in the U.S., means to get the answer wrong. In England 'to miss' means to not attempt to answer. The two meanings are very different. On another occasion, after meeting a group of people I commented that the lady was very "homely". Most people frowned and said, "No she's not homely at all." Again, after some confusion, and trying to explain myself, I learned that homely, in this country, means ugly. Oops! In England it describes a person who likes to be at home, makes pies well, does domestic things well, .... you get the meaning. Even though I have been here for seventeen years, I am still learning expressions that I have to be careful with......
Grammar notes.
Related vocabulary: saying, spelling, to get into trouble, to explain oneself, to comment, to frown.
Advanced.
One minute from my house, by car, is a large shop, Walmart. It is very convenient for me; I go there at least three times a week. I am constantly running out of basic essentials like milk, bread, cereal, and toilet paper. Well, I make my quick trips there, grab what I need, and leave. Occasionally, I will spend some time looking, browsing. It can be relaxing. The trouble is, when you browse, you are more likely to buy an extra something that you don't really need. The employees in Walmart are very friendly and helpful. One thing that I've noticed about them, is that there are many older people working there, people who look like they have been retired for a while. One day, when I was standing in line waiting for a cashier, I found myself observing the gentleman who was at the till. He was tall, elderly, and very polite. His hair was dyed black, so black that it was a blue black. His face was wrinkled, and his eyes looked almost closed. Then it was my turn. "Hello, did you find everything that you were looking for?" he asked, robotticly. "Yes, thanks," I replied. "The trouble is, I always buy too much," I continued. He looked at me, and then at his watch and said, "It's ten forty-five." Oh, he must have misheard me. "It's a lovely day, isn't it?" I said just to make conversation. "Oh," he said quickly, as if I had corrected him,"well, I can put your stuff in paper bags instead of plastic bags." "No, that's fine," I said, trying not to cause more confusion. I noticed that he was wearing a hearing aid. That explains it. I should speak louder. "Could I borrow a pen?" I said loudly as I took my cheque book out. "No, we don't take American Express," he replied without looking at me. Hm, amazing that we could have two separate conversations, and somehow manage to get the job done.
Grammar notes.
Verbs: to grab (reg.) used commonly as to get, pick out etc.
He grabbed his coat and ran into the rain.
To browse (reg.). Ex: I browse the internet everyday.
To notice (reg.). Ex: I noticed the other day that she was crying.
To hear/ mishear (hear, heard, heard). Ex: I misheard the directions, so I got lost.
Beginners.
I have a very special friend who lives in the *neighborhood. She is seventy-five years old, and actually comes from England, just like me. She was a war bride during World War two. She is originally from Liverpool (where the Beatles came from), and still has a little bit of an accent, even though she has lived here for nearly sixty years. We chat on the phone every few days, talk about politics and families, and occasionally get together. She called me today for help. She had been sent an important package, but could not unlock the delivery box with the key that the *mail man had left for her. It was already late at night, but she was worried about not receiving her package. So, I went to her house to get the key. "You're not going alone in the dark are you?" she asked as I was leaving her house. "Well, yes I am," I replied. "Alone in the dark?" she continued. "Sweetheart, don't worry. I like the dark," I replied and went on my way. As I walked down her driveway, I realized that it really was dark outside. The temperature was a comfortable cool, and nobody was around. What I had said about the dark made me feel braver than usual. The words "Own the night" came to my mind, as if I was in a small adventure, moving through the darkness to get a secret package.
Grammar notes.
Neighborhood (Am.) neighbourhood (Eng.)
Mail man (Am.) post man (Eng.)
Related vocabulary: warbride, originally, politics, delivery, brave.
Advanced.
Dark is the night. As black as night. The secrets of the night. Have you noticed how there is something sinister in many night-related sayings. Our imaginations go wild with the subject of the night. The world seems to completely change, if you think about it. We, as people, head toward rest and sleep. The sun, which is everywhere during the day, is no longer available, and shadows and the unknown take over. Even a different set of animals appear on the scene as the world darkens: owls, rodents and cats. All the other day time animals, like us, are sleeping. I don't seem to be too scared of the dark. I like to walk around in the back garden at night. It is so fresh and still. Everything feels so different when your dominant sense of sight is no longer useful. When I walked to the mailbox tonight, in the dark, it occured to me, that if you have the right perspective, you can feel comfortable and confident in the dark. You must own the night. I moved quickly to the mailbox while I thought of these things. Really, noone would see me unless they had a flashlight. If you walk quickly, you give an air of purpose and power. "What is there to fear?" is what your body is saying. I also have short hair, so, in the shadows I probably look like a man. Plus, I was carrying a sharp key and a cell phone. So, I was safe. I owned the night. I chose to see the night as a cloak that I put around me, and that I could move freely with. Our senses can be alive and sensitive at night, though we cannot see, and we can initiate and move effectively in this time that is not officially our domain.
Grammar notes.
Related vocabulary: sinister, available, unknown, dominant, rodents, confident, noone/nobody, flashlight, purpose, sharp, cloak, initiate.
Beginners.
Life in a small town is very quiet, some would say boring. However, one good thing about living here is that there is not a lot of crime. It is something that you get used to. On a few occasions, I have left my handbag in the shopping cart when I am buying groceries. It is not until I get home that I realize what I have done. Thankfully, the times that this has happened, I have been able to drive back to the supermarket and find the bag, still in the shopping cart. When I lived in London, that was not the case. Though most people are good, and mean well, you have to be careful. I suppose it is just one of the many differences between a big city and a small town. When a crime does take place here, it makes the front page of the local newspaper, The Wenatchee World, and the whole town talks about it. A couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine told me that there had been a burglary at a pharmacy in town. I don't often read the newspaper, so I was not aware that it had happened. I looked through our pile of unread newspapers and found the February 26th edition, and sure enough, on the front page was a picture of the suspect. The man has not been found yet; the police and crime task force are still looking, and have offered $1000 reward for information leading to an arrest. How exciting! I will keep my eyes peeled.
Grammar notes.
Related vocabulary: crime, handbag, groceries, local newspaper, burglary, pharmacy, reward, task force.
*Would. Ex: Some would say that the governor is wise, but I think he is foolish.
To mean well. Ex: They mean well, but they are very unhelpful.
(Not) the case. Ex: The land was to be protected, but that was not the case.
Advanced.
So there has been a robbery in town, a double one. It's a shock for the community, especially considering that everybody seems to know eachother. The reward has not been claimed, and so far there are no leads. Mind you, the picture in the newspaper is pretty awful. The suspect looks like an alien. I think if there was a creature like that in this town, he would be spotted immediately. Thankfully, no one was hurt in either robbery. It would be very scary to be the one behind the counter who has the gun pointed at his face. I would not like to be in his shoes. Perhaps the criminal will be caught by making some kind of mistake. They are human, so they are prone to errors, just as we are. There are stories of criminals who are not so bright, who give themselves away. Apparently, one man decided to rob a quick stop foodmart. The trouble is, he was on his lunch break from work, and he had forgotten to take off his name tag from his place of employment. As soon as he had taken the money and left, the cashier phoned the police and told them the name of the criminal and where he worked. The poor guy, how embarrassing! It must have been his first time on the dark side. It sounds like he was nervous and unprepared. Well, hopefully the embarrassment of the situation stopped him from ever trying it again. As they say here, "If you don't want to do the time, don't do the crime."
Grammar notes.
Related vocabulary: creature, to be prone to .., mistake, error, lunch break, cashier, embarrassing, foodmart.
* Claim. Ex: The lost puppy has not been claimed.
Embarrassing. Ex: His pants fell down infront of everybody. How embarrassing!
Lunch break. Ex: I would not like to miss my lunch break. It's the only time that I have free.
Beginners.
There are some special times in our lives when we come into contact with greatness, with people who have done great things. My husband experienced one of those special moments about a week ago. He had flown down to California with a couple of friends to watch the Tour of California. He was fortunate enough to have a friendly, business connection with Rabobank which is a major cycling sponsor. Because of this connection, he and his friends were able to travel in a Rabobank car close to the professional riders. They were able to get close to these famous athletes before and after the rides. One other thing that they did, was to ride some of the same routes as the professionals, but several miles behind them. This gave my husband and his buddies firsthand experience of the difficulty of this competitive sport. I think the trip will become an annual event, something to look forward to and to plan for during the year. I might go with him next year, even though I am not a cyclist. The tour obviously takes place along some beautiful countryside, so it would be worth going at least once.
Grammar notes.
Useful expressions: to come into contact (with), a business connection, before and after, firsthand experience, annual event, even though, at least.
Related vocabulary: sponsor, tour, connection, route, professional, event.
Verbs: To come into contact.Ex: The diver came into contact with the strangest kind of squid that he had ever seen.
To be able. Ex: I will not be able to come to the party. She had not been able to find her passport in time for the flight.
*Subjunctive: It would be worth going, even if it rained. ( you can swap the clauses). Even if it rained, it would be worth going.
Advanced.
What does it mean to be a fan, to be an enthusiastic follower of a personality or activity? Have you ever experienced the thrill of hero worship? It's quite common. My sons are fans of certain sports personalities and actors, and my daughter is a fan of Hello Kitty. My fifth child, my husband, also has certain idols, but he hides his enthusiasm better than the children. On his recent visit to the Tour of California he was lucky enough to see some of the big names in cycling like Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer, and David Zabriskie. It was, of course, a complete thrill for him and his group of friends who accompanied him. I'm sure that being a fan shows a desire to have achieved that which we are admiring. The funny thing is, last year when he went to the Tour, they did actually experience being worshipped by fans. Let me explain. They had spent a large part of the day cycling behind the peloton,-a long way behind. Nevertheless, they crossed the finish line where fans were still applauding, yelling, and waving flags. Little did the fans know that these very late athletes were nothing to do with the race. So, my husband and his buddies were celebrated as professionals who had just completed the Tour of California. Cameras were flashing and devotional pats on the back were given. It was like an accidental dream come true. Hey, if you can't be a professional cyclist, you can always trick a few fans into believing that you are.....
Grammar notes.
Related vocabulary: fan, personality, hero, thrill, worship, idol, recent, the finish line, buddy, devotion.
Verbs: To hide (hide, hid, hidden); to accompany (reg); to admire (reg); to applaud (reg.).